At its July 10 meeting, the MFL MarMac School Board reviewed the data from the 2016-2017 Iowa Assessment. Teacher Jen Wilwert gave the presentation, breaking down student proficiency, by grade level, in reading, math, science and social studies.

Students fared best in science, with all but second grade demonstrating 79 percent proficiency or higher.

The second graders came in at 66.2 percent proficiency, but Wilwert said the statistic is not surprising, and the next year’s second graders will likely show similar results.

The 11th annual Emma Big Bear and Winnebago History Day was held July 1, in Marquette. The event included several speakers as well an exhibit featuring baskets, jewelry, art, photos and research materials. Here, one of the speakers, Terry Landsgaard (center), looks at the baskets on display with other event attendees. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Wayne Kling, of the Tomah, Wis., Area Historical Society and Museum, talks about the Blue Wing Cemetery, where Emma Big Bear is buried. Emma's exact location is unknown, however, as a stone does not exist.

The goal in hosting Emma Big Bear Day, shared Rogeta Halvorson, secretary/treasurer of the Emma Big Bear Foundation, which was founded by her parents Roger and Connie in 2012, “is to preserve Winnebago history and the history of Emma Big Bear.”

Spencer Lone Tree was dubbed the "Elvis Presley of the Winnebago" by Emma, who was his great-aunt. In commemoration, he sang an Elvis song at the event July 1.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

From viewing the baskets she once handcrafted to hearing personal stories shared by area residents, the life and legacy of Emma Big Bear was celebrated by many at the 11th annual Emma Big Bear and Winnebago History Day in Marquette on July 1.

Hosted by the non-profit Emma Big Bear Foundation, the event recognized what would have been Emma’s 148th birthday, and featured an exhibit of five personal collections of baskets, jewelry, photos, art and research materials. Three speakers presented on topics related to Emma and the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people.

The Casey’s General Store in downtown Marquette closed this week for demolition, leaving the community without a convenience store until a new, larger store opens this fall. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Construction of the new 3,400-square-foot store has been underway for over a month.

The new store will offer expanded fountain selections, a larger coffee and cappuccino bar, more coolers, made-to-order subs and, of course, the chain’s popular pizza.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Casey’s General Store in downtown Marquette closed this week for demolition, leaving the community without a convenience store until a new, larger store opens this fall.

According to the company, the new 3,400-square-foot store is anticipated to open in early October, directly behind the location of the current store. Construction of the store has been underway for over a month.

The American Health Care Association has rated Great River Care Center (GRCC), in McGregor, the number one nursing home in Iowa for the first quarter of 2017.

“Every nursing home in the nation is rated based on their surveys, quality, staffing and health inspections,” said Great River Care Center Administrator Deanna Kahler. “We were rated number one out of 437 based on our survey history.”

Each year, Kahler said, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals visits GRCC, spending a week inspecting everything at the facility.

Although installation of a splash pad at McGregor’s Turner Park isn’t planned until 2019, efforts are already underway to determine the type of water system best suited for the project.

Jacob Huck, from MSA Professional Services, presented an engineering proposal to the McGregor Council at its June 21 meeting, detailing two options available to the city.

The first, Huck explained, is a flow-through system, where the water goes through and then out, without being re-used. A recirculating system, on the other hand, would treat the water that goes through the splash pad, allowing it to be re-used, he said.

The 11th annual Emma Big Bear and Winnebago History Day program will be held Saturday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Marquette Community Center. The event will include speakers, as well as exhibits containing baskets, jewelry, art, photographs, stories and more. This recently-discovered photo shows 19th century chiefs and leaders, some of whom were related to Emma Big Bear.

Emma Big Bear (Photo courtesy of Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret)

Everyone is invited to attend the 11th annual Emma Big Bear and Winnebago History Day program on Saturday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Marquette Community Center, 102 North St. This free program marks what would have been the 148th birthday of Emma Big Bear, who was born July 5, 1869, and died Aug. 21, 1968.

The event is hosted by the non-profit Emma Big Bear Foundation, which was founded in 2012 by Roger and Connie Halvorson.

The event moved to the community center last year, after out-growing space at Eagles Landing Winery.

“[The event] is growing,” said Rogeta Halvorson, Roger and Connie’s daughter and secretary/treasurer of the Emma Big Bear Foundation. “There’s growing interest from people because it’s such an interesting part of history.”